A multi-agency team has intercepted a lorry carrying contraband cigarettes worth over Ksh 50 million on the Namanga-Nairobi Highway.
The operation, carried out in Kajiado County, targeted the truck at Kimalat along the Kitengela-Namanga road.
The 24-foot lorry, registration number KBN 216F, was found loaded with over 1,000 cartons of export-only cigarettes.
Each carton contained 5,000 packets, bringing the total haul to over 5 million cigarette packets.
Shockingly, the cargo had been fraudulently declared as ‘sunflowers’ at Namanga Customs, with stamped documentation allowing its entry into the country despite the availability of scanners for inspections.
During a press briefing at Isinya Police Station, Kajiado County Commissioner James Taari expressed deep concern over the persistence of such illegal activities.
“This illegal trade has been ongoing for years, raising fears that Kenyans may be consuming unsafe goods,” he stated.
The driver of the lorry was arrested during the operation and is currently in custody at Isinya Police Station.
Authorities have confirmed he will be arraigned at Kajiado Law Courts.
